The party decorations have been hung up. The food is gently warming in the oven and the punch has been deliciously spiked. It’s going to be a new year and you’ll be ushering it in with the party to end all parties.

It’s Christmas week and you’re feeling spontaneous. Or perhaps that might be an euphemism for “I forgot I’m hosting the party this year”. Fret not, a Christmas gathering doesn’t always need to entail weeks of planning or hours spent roasting fowl or putting up elaborate decorations. With the help of modern technology and some imagination, throwing together a last minute Christmas bash can be easier than you think.

The New Year is coming, and with it the annual round of ruminating on the resolutions to make in 2012. More than a few people, however, might find themselves repeating certain resolutions from 2011 that they’ve been less than faithful to.

It’s the holiday season and your kids are bored at home. Why not rope them in for some fun treats they can make and enjoy by themselves? Not only does it allow for some great family bonding time, it also acquaints them with the kitchen and its various tools.

According to the bible, it took a miracle from Jesus to feed a hungry crowd of 5,000. More than 2,000 years later, with the miracle of technology, Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC) Executive Chef Richmond Lim can do the same for the same number of people or more.

When the first settlers in America roasted turkey in the 17th century, it was a matter of practicality – the bird was native to the country and came in plentiful supply. Fortunately (or unfortunately if you were the turkey), they were also delicious, which meant that a few hundred years later, people around the world are still roasting and savouring its meaty pleasures.

So you weren’t really paying attention to dates on a carton while rushing through your grocery list at the supermarket. Or maybe, you just forgot how long that cheese has been in the fridge. Either way, today is a few days after the Best Before or Use By date on the packaging, so are those foods still safe to consume?